MCC reschedules Gitmo lecture

A controversial lecture originally scheduled for December that was called off because McHenry County College officials didn't think they'd have enough security to staff it is back on again.

Marc Falkoff, a lawyer representing 17 detainees at Guantanamo Bay accused of terrorism, will speak at the school at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 inside the Crystal Lake college's conference center.

Falkoff is also editor of "Poems of Guantanamo: The Detainees Speak" and a criminal law professor at Northern Illinois University.

He will discuss what he's learned defending the prisoners and other related subjects, including the treatment they received while at Guantanamo. He will also sign copies of the book he edited.

"We welcome everyone whether they agree or disagree," said Molly McQueen, founder and action coordinator for the Student Peace Action Network. "All we ask is that people be respectful."

The Student Peace Action Network originally planned the talk for Dec. 3, but the school canceled it, with officials saying they did not think they would have enough police to staff the event.

The lecture caused an uproar in the community because it was being held the same night as the wake for U.S. Army Sgt. Jason McCloud of Crystal Lake, who was killed in Afghanistan.

Many accused the school and the peace action network of being disrespectful for holding the lecture at the same time the community was mourning McCloud's death. School leaders expected people to flood the campus in protest. As well, Falkoff said he received several disturbing voice mails in which callers called him un-American, threatened to shut down the event by showing up en masse.

The school has arranged for two Crystal Lake police officers and a pair of school security guards to make sure the event goes on without a hitch.

"And that game plan is constantly evolving," said Tony Miksa, vice president of student and academic affairs. "We will do whatever we need to do to make sure our students and community members are safe."